Police in Devon and Cornwall claim to have identified the culprit behind an unusual cyber-bullying case.

The case came to light after police issued a warning that a child involved in cyber-bullying was pretending to be an adult paedophile looking for victims.

But after the warning was issued the girl confessed to her parents who notified the police.

"It was more cyber-bullying than paedophilia," a police spokesman told The Guardian. "It has caused a lot distress to a lot of people."

It seems that the messages were sent as part of a dispute the girl was having with another local girl, and she posted the messages to frighten her.

Zoe Hilton, policy advisor for the NSPCC, said: "Internet chat rooms and social networking sites are spaces where children are at risk from cyber-bullies and adult abusers who may lie about their identity.

"Parents need to remain vigilant, keep up to date with the technology their children are using and stay aware of what they are doing online."